Incident leads to resignation of BC Premier Clark's chief of staff

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has replaced her chief of staff Ken Boessenkool following investigation of "an incident of concern" that happened two weeks ago.

"Earlier this month I was involved in an incident where I acted inappropriately," Boessenkool wrote in a resignation letter released by the premier's office. "I was wrong, regretted my behaviour very much and immediately and unconditionally apologized."

Despite apologizing he would resign, Boessenkool wrote. "This will give me a chance to return to Calgary to be with my family -- who I have also let down - and from whom I have been separated on a weekly basis for most of the last eight months."

The letter did not provide details of the incident, and Clark said she could not release them due to privacy laws governing employers and employees, though she did say there's no suggestion of any criminal conduct.

"He and I agreed that he should resign," she said. "When I sat down with Ken, I knew that he would have to resign, and he agreed that was the right course to take."

Clark stressed that the investigation had been quick, thorough and fair and that she had acted decisively when it was done.

Boessenkool came to B.C. less than a year ago to shore up Clark's right wing credentials. He was a former adviser to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, an election strategist for the federal party and a lobbyist for clients including Enbridge, Taser International and several drug companies.

Clark announced her new chief of staff will be Dan Doyle, a former chair of BC Hydro, vice president of construction for the organizing committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and a director with Partnerships BC. In 2010 he received the Order of B.C..

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.